US 'stole' Chinese statistics

The Post said Snowden provided the information on June 12. The documents listed operational details of specific attacks on computers, including Internet protocol addresses, dates of attacks and whether a computer was still being monitored remotely.

"What is the connection between Tsinghua's CERNET and terrorism?" Jia asked.

"Obviously US Internet attacks against China are not for anti-terrorism efforts, as Washington has argued, but for other reasons that might include commercial and strategic motives," Jia said. "The US owes an explanation to China, and the world."

However, Jia said Washington might, as always, avoid facing the problem and he did not expect it to stop hacking China.

"(Snowden's) claims sounded the alarm for Beijing to beef up Internet security efforts," he said.

A commentary published on Sunday by Xinhua News Agency said Snowden's disclosures of US spying activities in China have "put Washington in a really awkward situation''.

"Washington should come clean about its record first," it said. "It has to share with the world the range, extent and intent of its clandestine hacking programs."

The Hong Kong government said on Sunday that Snowden has left Hong Kong voluntarily and that Hong Kong has updated Washington with the situation.

The post said Snowden boarded a flight for Moscow on Sunday and his final destination may be Ecuador or Iceland. It did not give any source of the information. Other reports said Cuba, Ecuador or Venezuela may be his choice of destination.

Shi Yinhong, a senior expert on US studies with Renmin University of China in Beijing, said the Snowden case must be handled properly to avoid hurting ties between China and the US.